In Search of Good Hiking Boots

Thinking about going hiking this summer? If so, you may want to check out which hiking boots and socks tested best at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute in our June issue of Good Hosuekeeping. You can be sure that those that rated well, were really put through some intense evaluation. In fact we had a few surprises with the moisture management test - a well-know manufacturer's product failed! When we notified the manufacturer, they were so grateful for our discovery; they are in the process of changing that interior boot fabric. Besides rigorous lab tests we conducted for water repellency and moisture management, we also had consumers try out the socks and boots. And I don't mean just walking around the halls of the Institute in Manhattan!! A set of the boots was sent to a woman who hikes the Appalachian Trail in Virginia abd another set was sent to a consumer in Vermont. Then more than a dozen women braved 12 degree weather in January and hiked the trails in the north part of Central Park. These weren't just paved flat trails, these were hilly dirt trails that crossed streams and were laced with bolders and rocks! The women then rated each boot on fit, comfort, ease of taking on & off, and attractiveness. So we did endure some "not so happy" trails in order to make sure the boots would stand up to lots of wear and tear. As Nancy Sinatra used to sing, "These Boots Are Made For Walking." For more tips on how to have a pleasurable hiking experience this spring and summer check out americanhiking.org